In the News

May 15, 2013 — The North Carolina Senate on Monday approved a bill (SB 132) that would require school health educators to teach students that abortion can increase the risk of premature births in future pregnancies, the AP/WFMY News 2 reports. The measure now goes to the House for consideration (AP/WFMY News 2, 5/14).

The bill -- sponsored by state Sen. Warren Daniel (R) -- would mandate that health classes for students in grade seven and above include lessons on "preventable causes of preterm birth, including induced abortion" (Women's Health Policy Report, 5/10).

Democrats and abortion-rights groups have argued that labeling abortion a "cause" of preterm birth conflicts with the opinions of major health organizations.

However, Republicans said a link between abortion and preterm births is supported in a 2012 state report (AP/WFMY News 2, 5/14).